Activating the product and buying support

Activate the product after installation so we can use all available features. We can optionally import a support license file to receive updates to the appliance. Obtain the activation key and support license:

• Download your activation key from your account on Passport Advantage at https://www-112.ibm.com/software/howtobuy/softwareandservices.
• Obtain the support license by following the instructions in the Welcome email that was sent by IBM. If we cannot locate your Welcome email, go to the IBM Security Systems License Key Center at https://ibmss.flexnetoperations.com. Review the FAQs to find out how to obtain support.

We can complete the following actions from the Support License and Product Activation panel:

• Import the activation key, which is required.
• Import the support license, which is optional. Import the license if we want to install service release updates.

The activation key is a permanent activation for the product. Activation keys have no expiration date.

Entitlement for X-Force updates for the database is provided automatically with the product. A third-party geolocation database is provided with sample data. We must purchase separately the full set of geolocation data.

We can review activation and support license information for your installed product packages, including specific product activations, service agreements, and expiration dates from this panel.

Steps

1. Log in to the local management interface.
2. Click System > Updates and Licensing > Licensing and Activation.
3. Perform one or more of the following actions:
   • Import the activation key and deploy the changes:
     1. In the Licensing and Activation window, click Import under Activated products.
     2. Browse to the activation key file that you downloaded from Passport Advantage.
     3. Select the activation file.
     4. Click Open.
     5. Click Save Configuration.

     6. Deploy the changes: You do not need to deploy changes immediately after you install the activation key. However, we must deploy changes before we can take a snapshot of the product.
        1. In the undeployed change message, click Click here to review the changes or apply them to the system.
        2. Click Deploy.
     7. The activated product name and version are displayed in the Products table. To view the software license agreement, click: View Service Agreement.
   • Optional: Import the product support license so that we can update the appliance:
     1. In the Licensing and Activation window, under Support license, click Select License.
     2. Browse to the support license file that you downloaded from IBM Security Systems License Key Center.
     3. Select the license file.
     4. Click Save Configuration.

Results

The menu in the local management interface refreshes to show the menu for the activated product.

If you imported a Support license, we can update the product with service releases. See Installing updates. Attention: Ensure the activation is completed before attempting any other activities using the local management interface.

Parent topic: Common tasks